Reflector-attaching device



1929- L. L. RAYMOND 1,735,181

REFLECTOR ATTACHING DEVICE Filed March ISO, 1927 Patented Nov. 12, 1929LAMBERT L, RAYMOND, 0F" MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA I REFLECTOR-ATTACHINGDEVICE Application filed March 30, 1927. Serial No. 179,488.

This invention relates to a reflector and lamp socket and while theinvention might have various applications, it particularly is designedfor holding an ornamental reflector ,5 on a lamp socket. rnamentalreflectors are now used in large numbers for decorative purposes and onsuch lamps as the ornamental lamps used on Christmas trees. Suchornamental reflectors, however, are also now being used on electricsigns and other electric displays. It is desirable to have an insulatingmember on the reflector adjacent the lamp socket and it is alsodesirable to have some simple and inexpensive means for holding the 115reflector in properposition on the lamp socket and which will fitdifferent sizes of sockets.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a reflectorhaving simple and eflicient means thereonfor holding the same on 29 alamp socket, which means is adapted to fit lamp sockets of differentsizes.

It is also an object of this lnV 6I1l 1OI1, l3O provide a reflectorhaving an lnsulating means at its central portion constructed andarranged to be easily disposed on and held on a lamp socket. I

It is a further object of the invention to provide an ornamentalreflector having a central opening therein with an insulating disksurrounding said opening, said disk being constructed and arranged toengage and grip a lamp socket to hold the reflector thereon.

It is more specifically an object of the invention to provide anornamental reflector having a central opening therein, a disk ofinsulating material surrounding said opening, a member for securing saiddisk to the reflector, said disk having radially extending slits cuttherein whereby a lamp socket of somewhat larger diameter than saidopening may be pushed therethrough and the reflector held on saidsocket.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fullyset forth in the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views and in which z- Fig. 1 is aview in side elevation of the lamp socket and lamp bulb therein showingthe reflector in vertical section thereon;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l, asindicated-by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the reflector applied to onetype of Christmas tree lamp socket; and

Fig. 4: is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, asindicated by'the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a lamp and aslightly diilerent form of socket, showing the reflector in verticalsection on the socket.

Referring to. the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 and 2, a lamp socket 5is shown of the type now commonly used for holding ordinary electriclamp bulbs such asshown at 6. While the lamp socket 5 may be made ofvarious materials, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it isshown as of the usual metal type comprising a cylindrical shell having acap 5 thereon and a bushing 5" at its rear end through which extend theusual conductors 7 for conveying current to the lamp 6; Lamp socket 5 isprovided adj acent its forward end with a circumferentially extendingrib 5 and while this rib may be of various forms, in the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated it is shown as substantially semi-circular incross section.

A. reflector 8 is shown which may be of any ornamental design orconformation and which preferably is of concavo-convex form. The concaveside of the reflector is disposed adjacent the lamp bulb 6. Thereflector 8 has a central opening 8 therein shown as of circular formand adjacent said opening said reflector has an offset portion or flange8". A disk 9 is provided shaped similarly to the reflector 8 and havinga central open-' ing 9 shown as circular in form which is ofsubstantially the same or slightly smaller diameter than the opening 8The disk 9 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced tangs 9 formedthereon and these extend through the reflectorS and have their endsclinched on the concave or outer side of said reflector, the disk 9 asshown in Fig. 1 being disposed at the convex or inner side of thereflector. A disk or sheet 10 made of sheet material such as fiber, hardrubber or other suitable material is provided and tightly clampedbetween the disk 9 and the flange 8", said disk 10 having a centralopening therein of considerably smaller diameter than the opening in themember 9. Said disk 10 is provided adjacent said opening witha'plurality of radially extending slits 10 forming therebetween tabs 10The disk 10 as stated, in some cases will be made of insulatingmaterial, although in some cases the same may be made of metal, and thisdisk willbe of stiff resilient material.

In operation the lamp bulb 6 is removed and the socket 5 then movedthrough the opening in the member 10. The socket is of somewhat largerdiameter than the opening in the member 10 and when it is insertedtherethrough, the tabs 10 formed between the slits 10 are movedlaterally or out of the plane of member 10 as shown in Fig. 1. Thiscauses the edges of said tabs to engage the socket 5 with quite a greatdeal of friction. The socket can be moved through the mem ber 10 untilthe tabs 1O engage one side of the rib 5". The reflector is thuspositioned on the socket 5 and is held quite firmly thereon by thefriction of said tabs 10" which are resiliently held against saidsocket. It is, as above stated, desirable to have an insula ing member10 at the central portion of the reflector, as otherwise the lampssometimes short-circuit the socket, which insulating members are alsorequired by the underwriters. lVhenthis insulating disk is required, themembers 10 will be made of insulating material.

Referring to the showing in Figs. 3 and a, the reflector shown anddescribed in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 is used, the same being shownas disposed upon a common type of Christmas tree socket 11. This socketcomprises an insulating casing 11' having.

therein shell 12 and a tip contact 13, the conductors l l beingconnected respectively to said shell and tip Contact. The casing 11which is made of insulating material such as hard fiber or some rubbercomposition, has a rib 11? extending circumferentially thereaboutadjacent its forward end. hen the reflector 8 is positioned on thesocket 11, the tabs 10* are moved into engagement with rib 11.". A lampbulb 15of the common Christmas tree type is shown in the socket 11.

in Fig. 5 a slightly different form of socket is shown, having acylindrical body portion 16 with a groove 16 illustrated as of rectangular cross section'near its forward end,

the groove 6 forming in eflect a rib 16 at the front end of the socket.lVith such a socket the reflector already described may be inserted overthe end of the socket, the tabs 1O yielding. The socket is pushedthrough the member 10 and said tabs then spring into place in thegrooves 16?,and the socket can be moved so that they engage the frontcorner of the groove or the rear side of the rib 16". The reflector isthus firmly held in position on said socket by the frictional grip ofthe tabs 10.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a verysimple and inexpensive and yet very etlicient structure for mounting areflector on a lamp socket. The reflector as above set forth iseflectively insulated from the socket and yet is held thereon withsuflieient firmness for all purposes. ihe device has been amplydemonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful andeficient.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangen'ient and proportions of the parts, withoutdeparting from the scope of applicants invention, which, generallystated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects aboveset forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed anddefined in the appended claim.

i v hat is claimed is A reflector for a lamp socket having a Ll portionof resilient sheet metal and I .F,/OS8{l in one plane, said portionhaving a central opening therethrough of slightly smaller diameter thana lamp socket on which the reflector is to be fitted, said portionhaving a series of radial slits extending from said opening, thusforming resilient tabs disposed in the plane of said portion, saidopening being adapted to receive lamp socket and said tabs being sprungout of the plane of said portion by said socket, said tabs thusfrictionally engaging said socket with their ends to hold said reflectorin place, said tabs springing back into one plane when said reflector isremoved.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LAMBERT L. RAYMOND.

